REFLECTIONS OF THE TRAIL, Page #0453

bravely and uncomplainingly
these women endured their hard lot, cheering and encouraging the men who were
their protectors. God bless them ! I often heard it said in the days of my youth
that the women were the hope of our nation. They have fulfilled that hope in
every sense of the term, and I believe they will ever continue to do so.

I was the first man to introduce roping contests in this state some thirty years
ago, but the practice was so badly abused and so many cattle crippled and
killed, that I regretted the introduction, so accordingly in after years I was
the first to petition the Legislature to pass a law prohibiting the sport.

From 1868 to 1895 it is estimated that fully 35,000 men went up the, trail with
herds, if the number of men computed by the number of cattle driven is correct.
Of this number of men about one-third were negroes and Mexicans, another third
made more than one trip. Let us conclude that one-half of the white trail
drivers who made one trip have died, and we still have some 6,000 survivors of
the trail scattered all over the world, all of whom ought to be members of our
association. This would give us the strength to forever perpetuate our
organization, for as it is now our sons are eligible to membership and they in
turn can make their sons and grandsons eligible as they grow to manhood. I have
urged the organization of the old trail drivers for thirty five years. Many of
my old comrades promised to participate in the organization, but it was put off
from time to time, until 1915, when I called a few together and started the
movement which has steadily grown until today I feel that my efforts in this
matter have been in a large measure successful. If we had organized earlier,
however, I am sure we would have preserved the record of many of our old
comrades who have crossed over the Great Divide, and retained much of the trail
slang and customs that have passed away.